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AUSSIES ‘MORE LIKELY’ TO BUY ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS Eighty-seven per cent of surveyed Australian shoppers are “more likely” to purchase products that are ethically and sustainably produced, finds new research commissioned by parcel delivery service CouriersPlease (CP). The survey also reveals that 85 per cent of respondents want retailers and brands to be more transparent about the origins and sustainability of their products and whether they are engaging in ethical practices. NSW residents top the states and territories when it comes to conscious consumerism, with 87 per cent of respondents from that state calling for transparency from retailers, followed by 85 per cent of Queenslanders and 68 per cent of ACT residents. CP also found that 41 per cent of Australian consumers surveyed would be willing to pay more for ethical and sustainable products. Younger consumers appear to be more sustainably minded, with 46 per cent of surveyed shoppers under 30 stating they would be willing to buy an ethical product at a higher price point, compared with 34 per cent of over-50s. A higher proportion of women are also willing to spend more on sustainably produced products at 46 per cent, compared with 36 per cent of surveyed male consumers. Across the states and territories, NSW residents also prove to be more conscious shoppers, with 42 per cent stating they would be more willing to pay more for ethical products, compared with 32 per cent of ACT residents. “Our research,” CP Chief Commercial Offer Paul Roper said, “reveals that Australians are becoming more conscious shoppers and are starting to make more considered choices by seeking, and purchasing, products that are sustainably and ethically produced. “This is an important incentive for retailers to embark on sustainable initiatives within their own operations and supply chain.” SEP, 2020 RETAIL WORLD 13 NEWS CONSUMERS BACK IN-STORE TRACKING, BUT SECURITY A CONCERN According to a recent study from mobile and IoT management solutions provider SOTI, 44 per cent of surveyed Australian consumers say the use of in-store tracking technology by retailers can ultimately enhance their shopping experience. “Our research, which surveyed over 500 Australian consumers, found that shoppers are increasingly getting on board with the concept of in-store tracking if it means a better retail experience,” said Michael Dyson, VP Sales APAC at SOTI. “In fact, 42 per cent of survey respondents stated that they’re more likely to choose to shop in a store that uses tracking technology to enhance shopping experiences.” In-store tracking is based around sensor data received from beacons placed around a retail store that can connect with a customer’s mobile phone via Bluetooth and a retail app. The data, says SOTI, can provide information such as how long a customer has been in a store and what products they have selected to buy. This, the company adds, offers a wealth of useful data for retailers, which they can then use to send customers promotions, special offers and store information. These offerings fit well with consumer expectations around the benefits of in-store tracking, with 44 per cent of respondents saying in-store tracking could result in better customer service, while 34 per cent said it could create more personalised store promotions. An additional 43 per cent of respondents said that they would like to receive more personalised services and promotional information based on their in-store shopping habits. “It’s clear today’s consumers want relevant and personalised enhancements to their shopping experience, and this is something that retailers can now deliver with the data insights obtained through in-store tracking technology,” Mr Dyson said. “While more retail customers are aware that retailers could be tracking their shopping habits, their comfort with this is reliant on the data being used primarily to offer them better shopping experiences, and the data being kept secure at all times.” Of the shoppers surveyed, 42 per cent communicated concerns around the security of customer data derived from in-store tracking. More than half the survey respondents, however, said a comprehensive security process and management solution to protect gathered data would alleviate their privacy concerns. “Security risks pose a rising threat to retailers that continue to gather more and more sensitive consumer data,” Mr Dyson said. “For Australian consumers to really have faith in in-store tracking technology, they need to be confident their data is being protected, at all times. For retailers to maintain credibility in this area, they must implement an IoT management solution with strong security credentials, which allows them to have visibility and management of all business-critical IoT endpoints, including in-store tracking technology, from a centralised point.”